Public transport

Public transport, including buses, taxis and rideshare services, continues to operate in the Northern Territory (NT).

To minimise the risk of contracting or spreading coronavirus (COVID-19), passengers must practice good hygiene and physical distancing where possible.

This includes sitting in the back seat of vehicles when using ridesharing or taxi services.

Bus services are currently free in the NT to remove the risks that come with handling cash.

Public transport is essential at this stage but will be reviewed regularly. Non-essential travel is to be avoided.

Advice to drivers of public transport

From midnight 1 April 2020, all arrivals at Territory airports, from both interstate and overseas, will be taken into mandatory quarantine for 14 days, unless an exemption has been issued by the Chief Health Officer.

This means all non-exempted passengers arriving at NT airports will be escorted to their accommodation for mandatory 14 day quarantine. This includes Territorians returning home.

Separate transport is being provided for these passengers.

This requirement will stay in place until further notice.

What you need to know and suggested health precautions

Drivers of point to point vehicles should carry out good hygiene practices to protect themselves and passengers from the spread of illness.

You do not need to wear a mask if you are healthy.

Employ appropriate cleaning practices at the end of each ride, shift or day (for buses). Wipe down internal and external surfaces (that have been touched) with disinfectant/ cleaning products.

Wash hands often with soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitiser between hand washes and after opening and closing doors, moving luggage and exchanging payment.

In the event of a passenger spreading droplets (such as sneezing, coughing or vomiting), clean surfaces with appropriate disinfectant wipes so that the potential spread of infection can be minimised.

Taxi and rideshare services are advised to request passengers to sit in the back seats of vehicles where possible.